If you’ve been feeling the itch to travel to Europe’s breathtaking cathedrals without splurging on a plane ticket, this new spot in Kent Ridge has got you covered. Geneo, the latest science and business hub in Singapore Science Park, has been making waves with its beautiful timber arches and towering pillars – no passport needed for this trip.
Beyond its breathtaking cathedral-inspired architecture, the lifestyle hub doubles as Kent Ridge’s latest lunch spot, conveniently situated near NUS and NUH for anyone looking for a new lunch haunt.
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Geneo isn’t just another office in Singapore Science Park. The mixed-use development is made up of 5 business park buildings, including offices, co-working spaces, and even a serviced apartment residence. The science and business hub also houses 3 levels of F&B and retail shops, as well as the Instagram-famous event plaza with its cathedral-like pillars.
The summer heat won’t be a bother here, the hub is conveniently attached to Kent Ridge MRT Station. Simply head to Exit E and you’ll find yourself at B2 of Geneo.
For bus commuters, there’s bus 92 at Exit D of Buona Vista MRT Station. From there, it’s an 8-minute bus ride to 7 Singapore Park Drive, where Geneo is located.
Image credit: CapitaLand
If you’re down for a little exercise, there is free bicycle parking at Geneo on Level 1. The lots are located at the back of block 1B’s lobby – just walk past Subway and make a left.
Perhaps one of, if not the most, stunning parts of Geneo, The Canopy is the 3,000sqm event plaza that connects the 5 buildings of Geneo.
The plaza is a breathtaking introduction to Geneo, with its stunning Mass Engineered Timber (MET) pillars soaring up to 27m, and branching out into an overhead glass canopy. The space feels more like a modern cathedral than a business hub, thanks to those high ceilings and beautiful columns, which makes you wonder if you’re even in Singapore Science Park at all.
The impressive build also happens to be the tallest MET structure in Singapore.
As part of World Art Day, a sculpture of a ginger flower sits among the pillars, adding just the right pop of colour to your Instagram stories.
The space also features a 300-seater amphitheatre where visitors can hang out and take in the plaza views.
The Canopy recently hosted the annual Science Centre pop-up titled Dot In Space, where visitors could find all sorts of fun facts about constellations and satellite imaging.
We had fun peeking into one of the installations to spot the “Big Dipper”, and exploring a replica ship where kids could learn about the meaning behind constellations while pretending they’re off on an adventure.
Apart from your usual F&B outlets and retail shops, Geneo has a hidden piece of nature within its very grounds. The Seed is a lush ginger-themed garden that pays homage to the spice’s culinary, medicinal, and cultural heritage. Located right next to Swensen’s Unlimited on L1, this little oasis is the perfect spot to take a break in nature when the food coma hits after your meal.
Here you’ll find a variety of ginger plant species, like the Shampoo Ginger, Torch Ginger, and the Parakeet flower. For a change of scenery after lunch, you could take a stroll along its many walkways as you enjoy the garden.
There are even lounge chairs, scattered around the garden with a lovely view of the pond, perfect for kicking back and relaxing in the shade if you need a break.
Swensen’s Unlimited’s new branch at Geneo is finally open to the public, and we managed to take a peek inside before the crowds rolled in. Deviating from Swensen’s traditional restaurant, Swensen’s Unlimited operates as a buffet restaurant instead.
The left side of the restaurant has seafood on ice, with options like tiger prawns, mussels, and clams. There’s also a line of hearty side dishes such as breaded chicken, roasted herb potatoes, and sautéed meatballs in black pepper cream.
Perhaps most exciting of all is the dessert section to the right – trust us when we say it’s a dessertarian’s paradise. There’s an ice cream and gelato bar with more than 48 flavours to choose from, including Tangy Lime Sherbet, Smoked Oak Tiramisu, and even local favourites like Kaya and Milo.
And if that isn’t enough to get you excited, there’s also a chocolate fondue fountain with bananas, strawberries, and marshmallows on the side to complement the rich chocolate sauce.
The buffet operates from 11am to 10pm daily.
Lunch price:
Mon-Fri: Child $15++ | Adult $35++
Sat-Sun: Child $30++ | Adult $50++
Dinner price (from 5pm):
Mon-Thu: Child $25++ | Adult $38++
Fri-Sun: Child $30++ | Adult $60++
Dining time: 90 minutes
Located on Level 1 is Olive & Peach (#01-31), a cosy cafe selling focaccia sandwiches, made with fresh bread that’s baked in-house daily, and speciality coffee.
The cafe’s warm and eclectic decor, featuring dark wood floors and pops of green from the tiled counter and plants, is an excellent spot for anyone looking for a midday pick-me-up.
Check out their Focaccia Sandwich Grilled Vegetables ($7.20) and Focaccia Sandwich Beef Bolognese ($9.80). There’s also a selection of cakes, like the Lemon Mousse Cake ($5.80) and Adzuki Bean Green Tea Mousse Cake ($5.80) for something sweet to go with your meal.
With 5 branches across the island, homegrown coffee spot Pyroast (#01-27) is not new to the coffee game. The cafe serves speciality coffee, with a curation of beans from the likes of Nepal and Yemen.
The cafe is located in Citadines, Geneo’s serviced apartment residence, and is open from 8am to 6.30pm on weekdays – perfect for early risers and midday caffeine cravers. The cafe is a 3-minute walk from The Seed, as Citadines is in a separate building from the main plaza.
Here you’ll find familiar drinks like Espresso ($4.50), Handpour ($7), and traditional Nanyang coffee and tea like Kopi-O ($2) and Teh-C ($2).
The Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe (#B2-32) looks like something out of a 1900s Singapore postcard, with its traditional Chinese signage and a little green van parked outside displaying old-school snacks – guaranteed to give you a nostalgic trip back in time.
Its menu is just an extension of its old-timey decor, including classic dishes like Hainanese Chicken Cutlet ($15.90), Claypot Mee Tai Mak ($9.90), and Shredded Chicken Hor Fun ($8.90).
Good news for pet owners, the cafe is pet-friendly so you can enjoy the extra company while you feast.
PUTIEN (#B1-33) is no stranger to Singaporeans. They’re known for their authentic Henghwa cuisine, a style of Fujianese cooking from Putian. The establishment has an impressive 7 consecutive Michelin-starred years under its belt, so it’s not to be overlooked.
Located at B1, the restaurant serves signature seafood dishes like Fujian Red Mushroom Seafood Lor Mee ($15.80) and their Pan-fried Yellow Croaker ($13.70). The best part about their prices is that the restaurant fully absorbs all service charges and GST, making your meal a little more shiok.
There are tables outside the restaurant as well, which means your food pics get an extra upgrade with the grand atrium in the background.
Located at B2, Ha-Jun Korean (#B2-32) serves wallet-friendly Korean classics like Kimchi Fried Rice ($6.50) and Kimchi Soup with Rice ($7), along with other favourites like Bibimbap ($6.50) and Spicy Tteokbokki ($6).
Plus, the eatery is Halal-certified so it’s perfect for anyone with Korean cravings during lunch.
We tried the Kimchi Soup and Salmon Don ($8.50) and were surprised by the generous portions. The Kimchi Soup was just the right touch of sour and salty, with the bowl filled to the brim with tofu and chicken – you’ll definitely be getting a bang for your buck here.
If you’re looking for pasta with a little personal touch, head to Pasta Express (#B2-39) for customisable pasta bowls.
Start with a base sauce of either Tomato, Cream, or Aglio Olio, and then choose from a variety of toppings like cherry tomatoes, corn, sausages, and even premium meat items like smoked duck.
If you’re overwhelmed by the selection, there are always preset options like Creamy Duck, Bolognese, and Chicken Alfredo, each priced at $11.80.
Similar to Pasta Express, Grains & Co. (#B2-41) allows visitors to build their own bowls. Salad fans will be spoilt for choice with their diverse topping offerings including Japanese Sweet Potato, Roasted Zucchini, and Smoked Pumpkin.
Customised bowls start from $10.90, which includes 1 base, 3 supplements, 1 dressing, and 1 protein.
Their menu features signature bowls as well, like the Tofu Tango Bowl ($10.90), the Chick’n Chomp Bowl ($10.90), and the Power Boost Bowl ($12.90).
If your lunch buddies can never agree on what to eat, HAWKERLAB (#01-25) has you covered. This air-conditioned food court has a great mix of international eats alongside familiar local dishes, which should keep your kakis happy and satisfied. The food court is right next door to Pyroast, so it’s a little way from the plaza as well.
Check out Lotus Delikes, which specialises in Japanese and Korean-inspired rice and salad bowls. Highlights include their Teriyaki Chicken Rice ($6.90), Spicy Gochujang Chicken Rice ($7.90) and Mentaiko Salmon Rice ($10.90).
There’s also Pho Lotus for comforting Pho and Vietnamese fare. Here you’ll find classics like Spring Rolls ($5 for 2pcs), Beef Pho ($8.50), and Banh Mi from $7.50.
For something a little familiar, head to Ji Fan Zai for their Chicken Rice dishes (from $6) that are prepared using Sakura chicken. Don’t be fooled by the name – their chicken isn’t actually cooked with sakura flowers. Instead, it refers to a brand of chicken that is free-ranging and reared without artificial hormones or antibiotics.
The haven for all things cute, Miniso (#B2-34) is a lifestyle store known for its catalogue of affordable and trendy products. You’ll find plushies, blind boxes, and even everyday essentials like beauty products and electronics.
There’s a new collaboration with Disney’s Stitch in light of the little alien’s upcoming live-action movie. If you’re a fan, you’ll find Stitch plushies ($27.90) and other merchandise like passport holders ($7.90) here.
For those in the market for new frames, check out Lifetime Vision Care (#B2-31/44), an optical shop with a wide range of premium eyewear.
If you’re satisfied with your current frames, there are also eye examination services available (around $80) via an online booking, walk-ins are also accepted.
Here’s a lobang tip: the store is having a soft opening promotion till 30th June 2025 so eye examinations are free. You also get free blue filter lenses with every frame purchase.
Don’t let its location at the Singapore Science Park fool you – Geneo is far from your typical business park canteen. The lifestyle hub is a vibrant enclave packed with delicious eats, lush green spaces, and Insta-worthy corners in its grand plaza. Whether you’re there for a quick lunch or an escape into nature, Geneo is a refreshing getaway if you happen to be in the South.
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Photography by Shannon Chow & Nurkhalisah Insyirah Zulkarnain
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